"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
04/22/2014 at 22:29 • Filed to: None
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"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
04/22/2014 at 22:29 • Filed to: None | 3
| 29 |
This platform was the peak when it came to GM's trucks and SUVs.
Now before you mark me off as crazy, let me explain why. First, a brief history of the platform:
The GMT800 platform was introduced in 1999 as a successor to the GMT400 platform. First implemented of GM's trucks, the platform ran from '99 to '06. It was then replaced with the GMT900 plaform, but the Hummer H2 remained running a modified version of the GMT800. Over 8 million trucks and SUVs were sold that rode on this platform, making it one of the best selling generations of GM's truck platforms.
Now lets get on to why it was the best of GM's truck platforms.
This generation of GMT introduced plenty of innovations over the previous platform. Most importantly would be the introduction of Three-section frame system. This allowed for pieces to be mixed and matched depending on wheelbase, weight, and body type being put on the platform.
There was also the introduction of a new engine lineup. The new mass motor was the 5.3 liter V8. This was a more powerful and efficient engine compared to the old 5.7 liter V8 it replaced. A new 4.8 liter V8 was added to the lineup, along with a 6.0 liter V8. The 4.8 liter motor created similar power to the 5.7 liter.
Now lets get past what's underneath and focus on what sits atop the platform. A list of vehicles that rode on this platform is as follows:
'99-'06 Silverado
'99-'06 Sierra
'00-'06 Tahoe
'00-'06 Yukon
'02-'06 Escalade
'03-'09 H2 (lightly modified)
'00-'06 Suburban
'00-'06 Yukon XL
'02-'06 Escalade ESV
'02-'06 Avalanche
'02-'06 Escalade EXT
That's 11 models riding on one platform. That means there wasn't exactly a lack of choice when it came to picking what you wanted. All could be optioned to be bare bones basic, or have levels of luxury unseen on any GM truck previous.
The options list on these trucks were a little ridiculous. I'll run through some highlights:
Power adjustable pedals and seats
Navigation system
Full leather seats
Heated front and rear seats
OnStar
Rear seat DVD player
Power moonroof
Memory seating
Bose Stereo system
That list features things that the previous generation of trucks could only dream of. Sure, that list is nothing to note today, but back in 2000 those were some pretty innovative features. These trucks debuted when SUVs and trucks were becoming the most common form of transport, so in order for GM to stick out they had to deliver content wise.
The interiors of these trucks were about on par with what was coming out of everyone in Detroit at the time. They were nice in terms of comfort and toys, but some parts felt cheap. The dash was the biggest culprit. It was pretty much one piece of hard plastic. At the time though, this was the standard in every big truck unless it was of German descent.
The exterior of these trucks were more of an evolution of the design of the 90s versions. They rounded corners and polished some bad angles. They weren't boring, but they didn't polarize either. They were anonymous in the sense that they didn't have any sort of crazy concept angles or funny creases like today's SUVs and trucks are so guilty of. They didn't offer huge 22 inch wheels on any of them, not even the Escalade.
These also kept some utility with their new found luxury. They still offered good ground clearance, could haul big trailers, and could forge some decent trails. The Yukon, Tahoe, and Escalade barely have any room between their air splitter and the ground nowadays. The new Sierra and Silverado are just as guilty on this front. They sacrifice their off-road utility thanks to lowered ride heights and huge air splitters on the front bumper.
The GMT800 platform marked the beginning of GM's move from utility oriented trucks and SUVs to lux-trucks that are oh-so common today. The 800 marked a perfect mixture of luxury and utility for the vehicles placed on the platform. This generation marked revolutionary changes to the trucks that are still in use today. With these trucks you could easily do some decent off-roading on Sunday, wash it off and take to work on Monday comfortably. There's a reason this generation sold so well, they offered the perfect blend of luxury and utility, somehow doing both near flawlessly.
GeorgeyBoy
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 22:32 |
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Love the Denali, it still looks modern.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> GeorgeyBoy
04/22/2014 at 22:33 |
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I'm shocked by how fresh the Denali looks after all these years. This generation seems to have aged the best.
Birddog
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 22:44 |
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When they went to the girly face on the Chevy they lost me.
Thankfully the "Jimmys" never got femmed like that.
FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 22:44 |
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great bunch of trucks. Saw my first new tahoe on the road today. Didn't look as terrible in person.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> Birddog
04/22/2014 at 22:45 |
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I always thought the angry eyes were an improvement. But to each his own.
M54B30
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 22:47 |
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These all look so modern and good still. My father-in-law has a 2004 Suburban fully loaded with 25,000 miles - he just never drives it. Of the 25k miles, I bet 10k is backing out of the garage to wash and was it and pull it back in. My wife begs him to let us buy it off of him (he is single, also has a '13 Mustang GT, Suzi Grand Vitara, Merc E500 and a '11 lancer) but he refuses. It's his favorite of all his cars.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 22:47 |
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It's just so big and obnoxious. Plus has no sense of utility whatsoever.
shop-teacher
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 22:48 |
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I love my '06 Sierra. Bought it new, still going strong 8 years and 95k miles later. Its given me very little trouble, and I have no plans to replace it anytime soon. This was also the last reasonably priced platform of trucks. After this, the costs went bonkers.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> M54B30
04/22/2014 at 22:49 |
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My dad will probably never sell his '04 Silverado. Best truck he's ever owned he says. 134,xxx miles and not a single problem.
oldirtybootz
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 22:50 |
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GTFO, GMT400s FTW!
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> shop-teacher
04/22/2014 at 22:53 |
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We ended up paying around 40k for my dad's '04 Silverado. But that included a professionally installed 6" lift kit, American racing rims and tires that cost about $700 each. This all came stock from the dealer. 134k miles and not a single fault other than preventative maintenance.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> oldirtybootz
04/22/2014 at 22:53 |
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Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the GMT400 trucks, they just didn't offer the content and power the 800s did.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 23:01 |
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I mean its no bigger than its predecessors. But I agree the absurd starting price and total loss of utility ruin the vehicle for me. I think fuel economy regs have had a decent bit to do with the astronomical pricing of these vehicles and decision to make the Lambda platform triplets the volume sellers.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
04/22/2014 at 23:03 |
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They're not that much bigger, but they're blocky styling and upright front end just make it huge. And I'm sure economy regulations are what's shooting prices up.
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oldirtybootz
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 23:06 |
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I'll always want a GMT400 Chevy. That body style is just so sexy, from the Silvy to the Blazer to the Tahoe/Burban. Those Yukons are hot too, especially the GT, and I like the Escalade as well, but Chevy truck styling peaked with the GMT400 IMO. I do love the Avalanche as well, but on the whole GMT800s do little for me.
For the record, I've always been a Ford guy, my first car was an 88 Bronco that I loved dearly. I'd still probably rather have a GMT400 Blazer or 2-door Tahoe.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> oldirtybootz
04/22/2014 at 23:13 |
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A Tahoe Limited will always be on my list of things I'll own before I die.
ly2v8-Brian
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/22/2014 at 23:34 |
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Probably the last generation for factory two tone paint jobs.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> ly2v8-Brian
04/22/2014 at 23:37 |
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Probably so. I hardly ever see ones with a two tone paint job though. My uncle had a Forest green and Silver '06 Silverado.
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shop-teacher
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/23/2014 at 06:44 |
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I picked mine up in May of '06, as they were getting ready for the new body style to come in. Sticker price was $27k, I was out the door with taxes, title, and an extended warranty for under $22k. It's a base model 2wd with the 4.8L engine and only two options, a locking rear end, and the towing package. Everything I wanted, and nothing I didn't want to pay for. It's kind of ruined me for other trucks, it was so cheap, and has been so trouble free, that I can't even wrap my head around the idea of a new truck.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> shop-teacher
04/23/2014 at 07:42 |
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Our is one step up from a work truck, but has a bunch of options. We have the 5.3, 4WD, towing package, 4speed auto, and a few other things I cant remember off the top of my head
The Compromiser
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/23/2014 at 08:15 |
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I used to make the fixed and adjustable pedals for the 800 and 900. Pedals go up, pedals go down. Pedals go up, pedals go down...
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> The Compromiser
04/23/2014 at 08:29 |
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I'd never want to look at another set of those ever again.
jkm7680
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/23/2014 at 08:43 |
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Good article! I still do feel that the Gmt platform is slightly overused though.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> jkm7680
04/23/2014 at 08:45 |
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GM just makes so many trucks and truck based SUVs that it feels overused. I feel like GMT is to GM as MLB is to VAG.
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jkm7680
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/23/2014 at 08:52 |
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Agreed. The thing I feel with the Gmt Platform is that for the most part, the trucks look the same and the SUVs look the same also. The thing is that the MLB platform vehicles are noticeably different to the trained eye. The Gmt platform still is good platform, but highly Inbred.
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The Compromiser
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/23/2014 at 09:38 |
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I know! the test stands ran 2 at a time. if you didn't catch yourself. you would start following them with your eyes, then your head...
My Dodge has them (Made those too). I adjusted them 5-6 times when I bought it. then set them to bottom and left them there.
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Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> The Compromiser
04/23/2014 at 09:40 |
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It's a nifty feature but I dunno if I'd ever use it.
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The Compromiser
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
04/23/2014 at 11:45 |
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If you have tilt and telescope steering and a super adjustable (6 way or more) seat, you wouldn't. that's what i can tell you. the only places they made sense was in vehicles with memory settings. that way if you are 6'2" and your wife is 5'3' you can use the same vehicle and not have to adjust as much.
Joemamafoo
> Logansteno: Bought a VW?
11/13/2017 at 20:45 |
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I loved mine but did not love the random limp mode causing errors it got. I still miss it but never again. I think if in get another it will be a get 400 based one